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Educational Leadership Doctorate Schools offer various advanced degrees that may help current professionals shape the field of education through research, policy, and processes. Some programs offer courses in school management for licensed teachers who hope to move into administrative roles. Others are designed to foster ethical and effective leadership in line with today’s legislation and trends.

Regardless of the focus of the Doctorate in Educational Leadership program, students may broaden their expertise and ability to drive change and lead with vision and purpose.

Educational Leadership Doctorate Schools: Basics

If you enjoy face-to-face interaction, there are a variety of Educational Leadership Doctorate Schools with on-campus programs. You might take class with other school leaders, current teachers, and future organizational leaders. In fact, some programs could use the cohort model which may be conducive to support and mentorship. Also, today’s university might factor in that its students are busy adults. This could translate into classes at convenient times like weekends and evenings, or into an accelerated executive format.

Admissions to Educational Leadership Doctorate Schools

Admission requirements to Educational Leadership Doctorate Schools can vary. As a general rule, most programs presume students have earned a masters degree in education or a related field. They may also set standards for GPA and GRE scores. Additional material tends to include reference letters, resume, work experience and a sample of written work. Some schools may set up a personal interview as well.

Ed.D. and Ph.D. Educational Leadership Programs

Some educational leadership doctorate schools may offer a program that has two tracks, the PhD and EdD. Both terminal degrees may be available with areas of emphasis such as K-12 Leadership, Special Education Leadership, and Higher Education Leadership. Students in both tracks may take core courses and elective credits, along with classes designed for their concentration and to expose them to advanced research methods. Additional courses for the PhD track could include theoretical and comparative research, statistics and advanced qualitative research.

Educational Leadership Core Courses

The core doctoral course content may be designed to prepare students to serve as ethical school leaders, versed in state standards and current research. To that end, learners may take courses that help them develop the ability to use data to drive decisions. While courses and degree requirements are likely to vary between educational leadership doctorate schools, some general examples are as follows.

Policy Analysis and School Reform

Statistics

Global Societies

Coaching, Teams and Managerial Development

Organizational Change

K-12 Leadership

Students who work towards their Doctorate in Educational Leadership in K-12 Leadership degree may take courses that prepare them to understand key issues for K-12 schools and administrators. Some of their coursework could discuss the politics and economics of education, labor relations and legal issues. Other courses might explore school safety and security, and technology based learning.

Special Education Leadership

A Doctorate in Educational Leadership in Special Education Leadership program may help students grasp the needs and issues that impact special needs schools and their personnel. Coursework could discuss how to manage conflict and navigate legal problems, as well as how to adapt general education initiatives.

Higher Education Leadership

The Doctorate in Educational Leadership in Higher Education Leadership program is likely to highlight some of the issues and challenges that postsecondary schools and administrators face. For instance, coursework could focus on student affairs and enrollment management in higher education. Other courses may explore organization, governance and finance.

DID YOU KNOW?

Per one survey, 22% of Academic Deans have doctoral degrees.i

International and Multicultural Education

A Doctorate in Educational Leadership in International and Multicultural Education program may be designed to help students understand formal and informal education within diverse contexts. Coursework could discuss social, cultural, linguistic, political and economic factors at play in local public schools or around the world. Students may be able to pursue an optional concentration in Human Rights Education or Second Language Acquisition.

Private Sector Higher Education Leadership

The Doctor of Management with a focus in Higher Education Leadership program may be aimed at those who are drawn to issues that might arise in academic, senior level positions in a private sector higher educational institution. Students in this type of program are likely to study how to apply leadership theory and management principles. These courses could be mixed with key elements of private sector higher education leadership. For instance, policy, assessments, resource management, organizational development, and the regulatory environment.

Interdisciplinary Studies

The PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies is a humanities-based research program where students often take courses that draw their content from several areas. Usually, students choose a major which becomes the focal point of their coursework and research. This might be Public Policy & Social Change, Ethical & Creative Leadership, Educational Studies, or Humanities & Culture.

Which Doctorate in Educational Leadership Degree is Great for You?

One of the things to keep in mind when you search for educational leadership doctorate schools is the type of degree you need. Three of the main forms are the Doctor of Education (EdD), the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Education Specialist (EdS). Each of these degrees has a distinct focus of study and may offer unique areas of emphasis. Make sure to read program descriptions to help you choose a perfect educational leadership doctorate program and university for you.

Doctor of Education: Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership Degrees stress best practices and processes. The goal is usually to help teachers, school administrators and organizational leaders apply research to improve outcomes. EdD degrees might help students develop an advanced grasp of how humans learn, and the interplay of education, finance and government.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education: PhD in Education Leadership Degrees mix theory and research. This might be a good path for those who hope to change or contribute to educational policy through scholarly research. Or, for learners who aspire to manage a school, conduct research in Education Leadership and Administration, or teach in a university.

Education Specialist: The EdS is an advanced graduate degree that is between a masters and PhD or EdD. Education Specialist in Educational Leadership Degrees include theory and teaching best practices. This may be ideal if you hope to pursue a leadership position in a school or school district, work in an administrative capacity for a junior college, or continue to study at the doctoral level.

Accreditation

Educational Leadership doctorate schools may be accredited by regional or national agencies. Accreditation is a ‘stamp of approval’ that could speak to a university’s standards for things like its finances, faculty, curriculum and student services. Aside from this, some programs may be individually recognized by a professional agency such as the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Not all educational leadership doctorate schools are accredited, so be sure to contact programs for details.

Searching for Educational Leadership Doctorate Schools

You hope to pursue a leadership-level career in education. Now you need to find a great university for you. If location is a key factor for you, use the menu to look for educational leadership doctorate schools by city, state or country. Or, just scroll through the options here. Do some research and choose a program that aligns with your career goals, or the issues you feel strongly about. Then, easily contact schools directly and right away! Take your next step now.

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